When World War II ended a new system was born based on capital, offer and demand and massive consumption: capitalism. Most of the people were happy and satisfied with this totally recent system at the beginning, but soon got to cope with capitalism’s worst problems. My belief is that this is a wrong way to organise either the society or the economy, as it can be seen with the huge destruction is has and will create.
As we all know consumption or more precisely the act of buying is very addicting and irresistible and has made people more selfish, close minded and covetous since all they want to do is to have more possessions and keep it for them (don’t borrow much). Another problem is that people are so much persuaded to buy (even if they don’t have money) that they get involved in many credits and this leads to personal bankruptcy. This can also result in bank bankruptcy as they don’t get the credits repaid which leads to the sinking of the financial system (and consequently the explosion of unemployment).
But on the other hand it creates economic expansion as it gets money into the economy. This way many charity institutions and green energy programs can be raised and help the poor and the environment. Another fact is that it can help making people happier and keeping up the level of global satisfaction. This is only viable if consumption is kept on moderate levels, because it maintains the economy stable.
In conclusion, although it can make people a bit happier and create charity and environmental institutions, I believe that we shouldn’t keep this system because it makes people arrogant and selfish and implies the destruction of the financial system. Would you prefer to have more possessions or maintain your job and the economy stable?
As we all know consumption or more precisely the act of buying is very addicting and irresistible and has made people more selfish, close minded and covetous since all they want to do is to have more possessions and keep it for them (don’t borrow much). Another problem is that people are so much persuaded to buy (even if they don’t have money) that they get involved in many credits and this leads to personal bankruptcy. This can also result in bank bankruptcy as they don’t get the credits repaid which leads to the sinking of the financial system (and consequently the explosion of unemployment).
But on the other hand it creates economic expansion as it gets money into the economy. This way many charity institutions and green energy programs can be raised and help the poor and the environment. Another fact is that it can help making people happier and keeping up the level of global satisfaction. This is only viable if consumption is kept on moderate levels, because it maintains the economy stable.
In conclusion, although it can make people a bit happier and create charity and environmental institutions, I believe that we shouldn’t keep this system because it makes people arrogant and selfish and implies the destruction of the financial system. Would you prefer to have more possessions or maintain your job and the economy stable?
By Yashar Sabaz - 11º 10 (2009/2010)
We live in an economical world, and as a result people are becoming more and more involved with economy and money. That is leading humanity to consumerism and I believe that that is destroying us.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, daily routines are based in work, shopping, and a small amount of personal life. In my opinion this is the result of the influence that economy has on us. We live based on the money we have. We work to have money to buy the things we want. Is there anything in our little brains that has nothing to do with money or other things related to it?
Apart from this we have the global warming. Are global warming and consumerism that far away from each other? I guess not. Several problems in our environment are caused by the need of more and more goods like leather or wood. I believe that we could reduce the amount of materials we take from Nature by excluding from our needs all the superficial things. Consumers might not agree with me.
In addition to this, humanity is getting ‘busier’ with all the consumerism and the economy’s problems. People’s minds are filled up with problems related to money, they don’t ‘think’ anymore. It is hard to find someone these days that knows how to talk about things that has nothing to do with new TV series, CD’s or the economical recession. Our minds are becoming poorer and poorer, and it’s consumerism’s fault.
Taking everything into account, I cannot seem to find anything that could make peace between me and consumerism. It is unacceptable the world we live in, because it is so corrupt and messed up that I don’t seem to believe that someday it will get better. It is sad, it really is. As a matter of fact I am ashamed that even I am somehow dominated by all of this. We all are!
Bárbara Sousa - 11º6 (2009/2010)
Consumerism is a very difficult topic to talk about, at least for me. Although I am a fashion victim and love shopping, I am not totally for consumerism, I am both for and against consumerism.
ReplyDeleteI believe that consumerism is necessary, everyone has basic needs which need to be satisfied, for example food or clothes, everyone needs to eat and no one walks around naked. Besides, the world is facing a very serious economical crisis in order to recover, people need to buy.
Furthermore, I must confess that I truly love shopping, it makes me feel powerful and beautiful, so I understand shopaholics and don't feel that I am in a place where I can critizice anyone for spending too much on material things.
As opposed to the above ideas, I think that although we feel great when we shop, there are more important things, things that obviously would be more satisfying than shopping, like volunteering or sending money or food to people in Africa, who are in crisis for long time, but the 1st and 2nd world countries only worry about their crisis. Apart from this, all this consumerism is making us consume more than the world's limited resources.
Taking everything into account, I understand that we live in a society which needs to buy, I many times feel like that. But I believe that if everyone made an effort to only consume what they need, there wouldn't be as many inequality, there wouldn't be so much pollution and everyone could be much happier and take the time to enjoy the good things that life as to offer.
Although it might seem difficult to give up on many material things, I still believe that human kind can prove their value. Do you feel the same way? Is it hard to be unselfish?
Tatiana Luís - 11º6(2009/2010)
''We consume a variety of resources and products today having moved beyond basic needs to include luxury items and technological innovations to try to improve efficiency. Such consumption beyond minimal and basic needs is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, as throughout history we have always sought to find ways to make our lives a bit easier to live. However, increasingly, there are important issues around consumerism that need to be understood. For example:
ReplyDelete* How are the products and resources we consume actually produced?
* What are the impacts of that process of production on the environment, society, on individuals?
* What are the impacts of certain forms of consumption on the environment, on society, on individuals?
* Which actors influence our choices of consumption?
* Which actors influence how and why things are produced or not?
* What is a necessity and what is a luxury?
* How do demands on items affect the requirements placed upon the environment?
* How do consumption habits change as societies change?
* Businesses and advertising are major engines in promoting the consumption of products so that they may survive. How much of what we consume is influenced by their needs versus our needs?
* Also influential is the very culture of today in many countries, as well as the media and the political institutions themselves. What is the impact on poorer nations and people on the demands of the wealthier nations and people that are able to afford to consume more?
* How do material values influence our relationships with other people?
* What impact does that have on our personal values?
* And so on.
Just from these questions, we can likely think of numerous others as well. We can additionally, see that consumerism and consumption are at the core of many, if not most societies. The impacts of consumerism, positive and negative are very significant to all aspects of our lives, as well as our planet. But equally important to bear in mind in discussing consumption patterns is the underlying system that promotes certain types of consumption and not other types.''
Great posts and comments!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, consumerism is just ridiculous, because feeling that happiness is based on what you own just does not seem healthy. Nowadays, consumption which consists on buying/using what you need has turned into over-consumption, what basically means that people buy or/and use more than they need. All this unnecessary spending can result in devestating consequences, not only financially but emotionally.
ReplyDeleteWhat we are experiencing in our society these days is a case of affluenza. This word comes from the union of the words affluence and influence, and is used to criticise our modern society. It is characterized as being a painfull, contagious, socially transmitted condition of debt overload, which can lead to a case of depression or/and unhappiness.
The people who buy in overload are called compulsive buyers. Compulsive buying consists on buying to feel powerful or beautiful. Compulsive buyers are very influenced by advertising and are easily convinced to buy something. Buying gives them a sense of euphoria, happiness and fulfillment and they buy things that they do not need and will not use. The consequence is the debt that piles up everytime they buy something, and due to this they often feel guilty after the euphoria of buying something fades away, which can lead to a feeling of depression which then can lead to another uncontrolled shopping case, because compulsive buying is used most of the time to "cure" mild depressions or boredom, as they feel happy and powerful.
To sum up, you do not need all the things you buy even though you think you do. Having lots of good things does not make you powerful even though you might feel that way, and it does not, by any chance, determine what your worth or what you really are. This can only be determined by the why you work with what you have, little of lots, it's what inside that counts, so whenever you feel like going on a crazy shopping spree, go and spend time with your family and friends instead, make use of what you have, buy what you need, when you need it. And never forget, your true personality is what counts and not the brand you are wearing.
Karina Sargo - 11º6 (2009/2010)